Example: “My body of work combines (the how) photography and original writing (the what) to investigate themes of time and memory (the why).”
Artist Statement Guidelines A general introduction to your work, a body of work, or a specific project. It should open with the work's basic ideas in an overview of two or three sentences or a short paragraph. The second paragraph should go into detail about how these issues or ideas are presented in the work.
Often, artists are instructed to write a three-paragraph statement that begins with a broad overview of their ideas, then gives an explanation of their materials, and ends with a description of their personal philosophies.
I created… First I used <art supply> to… Then I added… At first I was going to do this, but then I changed my mind and...
Don't use unnecessary jargon. Avoid words, phrases, and ideas that are so specific to your discipline that a general arts reader might not understand them.
A helpful method to follow is: Name/birth year. Introduce your themes, and what is is about them you are exploring. Next, your methods of making work or materials used (and why, if relevant). Then, your place of study and qualifications you have (some people put their current role/residency/position if it's relevant).
Here's an example: “Art has always been my muse, guiding my life's path towards creative expression. From the moment I held a paintbrush, I knew that art was more than just colors on a canvas; it was a form of storytelling, a means to connect with the world and express the deepest facets of my being.”
“My work is a collection of a variety of resources, a collection of experiences. It's about understanding history, understanding the power of history, the power of power, the power of beauty, the power of transformation, and the power of purpose.”
Yes, you can write your own contract. However, including all necessary elements is crucial to make it legally binding.
Don't use unnecessary jargon. Avoid words, phrases, and ideas that are so specific to your discipline that a general arts reader might not understand them.